Word
celled
US/ˈsɛɫd/
UK/sˈɛld/
Definition
adj. having cells of a particular type or number, as in single-celled or many-celled. You see it mostly in science talk about living things.
adj. possessing cells of a specified number or type, as in 'single-celled' or 'multi-celled'.
Examples
“Amoebas are single-celled living things.”
“The biology teacher shows single-celled organisms to the class under the microscope.”
“All multi-celled animals develop from a single fertilized egg, which shows how complex bodies grow from a simple celled start.”
Examples
simple
“Amoebas are single-celled living things.”
contextual
“The biology teacher shows single-celled organisms to the class under the microscope.”
complex
“All multi-celled animals develop from a single fertilized egg, which shows how complex bodies grow from a simple celled start.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “celled” in context.
Verb
01. evolve into multi-celled
“Early life evolved from single cells into multi-celled forms.”
verb + prep + adj
02. multi-celled reproduce
“Multi-celled reproduce sexually to increase genetic variation.”
adj + verb
03. remain single-celled
“Most bacteria remain single-celled throughout their life cycle.”
verb + adj
04. single-celled divide
“Single-celled divide rapidly by simple binary fission.”
adj + verb
Adjective
05. many-celled
“Seaweed is a many-celled algae that can form vast underwater forests.”
adj + adj
06. multi-celled
“Humans are multi-celled mammals with highly specialised tissues.”
prefix + adj
07. single-celled
“The amoeba is a classic single-celled animal studied in school biology.”
prefix + adj
Noun
08. multi-celled life
“The Cambrian explosion marked a rise in complex multi-celled life.”
adj + noun
09. a single-celled organism
“An amoeba is a single-celled organism visible only under a microscope.”
10. complex multi-celled life
“Coral reefs support highly complex multi-celled life.”
11. evolve from single-celled life
“Scientists think animals evolved from single-celled life billions of years ago.”
12. remain single-celled throughout life
“Many bacteria remain single-celled throughout life despite forming colonies.”
Usage
Almost always used in compounds such as 'single-celled'; rarely stands alone and typically placed before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“The opsins of the mantis shrimp, unlike channelrhodopsins of the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, belong to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which trigger signaling cascades within cells.” “But one was a gene from a single-celled algae – a microbe that converts light to energy.” “The ultimate solution, it turned out, was lurking in a single-celled algae called Chlamydomonas .” “International collaboration in science remains crucial." In the early 2000s, Hegemann and Nagel were examining why a single-celled alga was able to swim toward a light source.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/celled